§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much was paid out by the Exchequer in support of agriculture in 1970 and at the latest date available, either nationally or via the European Economic Community; and if he will show these figures in actual prices and at constant 1984 prices.
§ Mr. JoplingDetails of support for agriculture are given in the White Papers on the Annual Review of Agriculture. In 1970–71 £256 million was spent (£1,181 million at 1983–84 prices using the GDP deflator at market prices) compared with expected expenditure of £1,689 million in 1983–84, of which the Community is due to contribute £1,082 million. The figure for expenditure in 1983–84 includes, however, the expected net cost of intervention buying, £380 million, which will be recovered when stocks are sold.